Largs Tourism uses Augmented Reality to promote the local area

April 2016

Largs Tourism will be at the centre of cutting-edge technology with the introduction of a new virtual reality information sign, to showcase the local area.

The new sign, located at the picnic area on Haylie Brae, Largs, will allow mobile phone users to view animated images overlapping the real scenery in front of them, through their mobile screens. Users will be able to load up the app, scan the sign and see images from the past, including animated hawks landing on the sign or Viking ships sailing down the Clyde.

With a variety of options being presented to the councillors, it was decided to utilise an information sign at the Haylie Brae picnic area, since it is one of the major gateways into Largs and the surrounding area. The cost was split between the physical sign itself and the use of innovative augmented reality technology.

Bruce Macaulay, of 6274 Public Art, noted that it would also be possible for the augmented reality software to include video footage of Largs from the past, from the National Film Archive.

Speaking to the Largs and Millport News, Mr Macaculay stated: “Once people have downloaded the app, it can find the experiences we created based on your location – we would do Vikings and a hawk coming out of the sign. It will be quite spectacular to see.”

He continued: The whole power is that we can change this at any time. I don’t think anywhere else in the area has this augmented reality signage as all…”

As a completely new area of technology for the area, the new augmented reality app is expected to gain a great deal of interest around the area. As a highly cost effective and modern way to help promote the local area, the new technology and signage has been funded by Largs seafront car park funds.

At Areca Design, we are currently working on a range of upcoming Wirtual Reality Tours and Augmented Reality Projects. For further information on Augmented Reality technology, to see some of our previous success stories, or discuss a potential project with us, please contact our team today on: 01386 570360 or email: designteam@arecadesign.co.uk.